Method and means for sterilizing toilet seats



Jan. 4, 1949. H. H. NILES METHOD AND MEANS FOR STERILIZING TOILET SEATS2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 26,

JNVEN TOR. fifwazp M155 ATTOB/VEY Jan. 4, 1949. HT NlLEs 2,458,019

METHOD AND MEANS FOR STERILIZING TOILET SEATS Filed 0013. 26, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. fifwaw fl/wzzs ATTOff/Y Y Patented Jan. 4,1949 IHE'IHOD AND MEANS FOR STERILIZING TOILET SEATS Harold H. Niles,Mount Kisco, N. Y., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Edward Spierer, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application October 26, 1943, Serial No. 507,699

11 Claims.

This invention relates to the sterilization of various articles throughthe use of radiant energy. An important specific application of theinvention is the sterilization of toilet seats, and the like, throughthe germicidal action of ultra violet light rays or similar forms ofradiant energy.

Heretofore various complicated and cumbersome schemes have been employedfor the purpose of sterilizing the tops of toilet seats but these havebeen too expensive for general use and have not been altogetherefiective.

An object of the present invention has been to provide a simple,inexpensive and effective way of insuring the thorough sterilization oftoilet seats, particularly in public toilets, prior to each use thereof,thus guarding against the transmission of diseases from one user toanother. Toward this end there is provided, directly within a toiletseat, a source of ultra violet rays or other germ killing radiant energyand the seat, either in its entirety or in such portions as may requiresterilization, is made transparent to, or capable of transmitting, thegerm killing rays. The seat may for this purpose be formed of a suitableplastic composition, having the requisite properties.

While the invention is particularly suited for the specific useindicated, it may be applied to a wide variety of other fields of use inwhich similar problems are met. By way of example, it may be used in thesterilization of the mouthpiece or ear-pieceof a public telephone, orthe discharge outlet of a-public drinking fountain with which the lipsof the user may come in contact, or it may be used to sterilize thehand-grips or posts or rails provided in public transportation vehicles,or the railings in public buildings, or the like. A phase of theinvention may also be utilized in the construction of a cabinet or chestfor the sterilization of implements used by doctors or dentists.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear froma detailed description of several illustrative forms of the same whichwill now be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in top plan and partly in horizontal section,showing a toilet seat and related devices embodying a form of theinven-- tion.

Fig. 2 is a view of the same form of the invention, partly in sideelevation and partly in section along the line '22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through a portion of a toilet seatembodying another form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing a further modification ofthe invention.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section along the line 6--6 of F18. 5.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing a suitable system ofelectricalconnections which may be employed in connection with thevarious forms of the invention.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there isshown a suitable application of the invention to the problem ofsterilizing a toilet seat. The toilet may be of any conventional orknown construction, preferably having a bowl [0 adapted to be flushed bywater from a suitable source, not shown. Flushing may be accomplishedeither under manual or foot control or automatically through themovement of the seat and the water for the purpose may be derived eitherfrom a storage tank or from a pressure line. A rearward extension. II atthe top of the bowl is suitably apertured to receive the shanks l2 of apair of seat supporting brackets l3. The lower ends of the shanks l2 maybe screw-threaded and provided with nuts M to secure them to theextension II. A hollow or tubular pivot element l5 between the bracketsI3 is either journaled or held stationary in laterally disposed recessestherein. Rearward extensions it of a pair of seat sections l1 and I8 areapertured to receive the pivot element I5. Pref erably a bushing I9 isprovided in the aperture in each of the extensions l6 for hearingengagement with the pivot element, or, if desired, a single bearingsleeve may cooperate with both seat extensions. The arrangement may besuch that the sleeve or bushings and their connected seat members turnfreely upon the pivot element [5 or the latter may turn freely in therecesses of the brackets I3. Between the extensions iii of the seatsections there is a small spacing sleeve 20 which may, if desired, besecured at its ends to the seat sections to cause the latter to swing asa unit about the pivot element. A spring 2| surrounding the pivotelement l5 within the sleeve 20 may have one end passed laterallythrough the extension iii of the seat section I8 and then directeddownwardly, as indicated at 2 la in Fi 2. to engage the bracket IS. Theopposite end of the spring may be passed outwardly through the wall ofthe sleeve 20 and have a bent-over portion inserted in a suitableaperture in the inner side wall of the seat section I1. Spring 2| ispreferably so tensioned, normally, as to hold the seat raised slightlyfrom the top of the bowl in the position indicated in Fig. 2. The seatmay, however, be raised into a vertical position, whenever desired, theone end of the spring 2i being then simply carried away from the bracketI3. When in use the seat will, of course, be depressed against the topof the bowl against the action of the spring.

Each of the seat sections 11 and I8 is of hollow con struction and ispreferablyformedipf' a" plastic substance capable of transmittinggermicidal rays, such as ultraviolet rays. For this-purpose,

certain of the acrylic resins may be used, such as are available underthe trade-names Lucite and Plexiglas.- Other forms of synthetic resin,capable of transmitting a high percentage of the ultra violet rays orother germicidal rays, may be used. So also, regenerated cellulose,which has the indicated property, may be employed or quartz glass may beused, if adequate provisions are made for preventing breakage. Ifdesired, the under portion of each seat section may be formed of adifferent material, which need not be capable of transmitting thegermicidal rays, since it is of primary importance to direct the raysover the upper and side surfaces of the seat sections. The inner surfaceof the bottom wall of each seat section may, in fact, be provided with areflecting finish or coating which will serve to concentrate the rays onthe upper portion of the seat.

Within each of the seat sections there is mounted a lamp-retainingsocket 22 adapted to receive a commercially available form of germicidallamp. The socket 22 is preferably mounted upon a detachable plate orsection 22a at the inner end of the related seat section. This willenable the ready insertion and removal of the lamp 23 in the socket. Anelectric cable or conduit 24, carrying the necessary wires for theparticular circuit involved, may extend from the socket 22, in each ofthe seat sections, through an aperture 25 in the wall of the extensionI6 surrounding the bushing l9, then through an aperture 26 in thisbushing and through an elongated opening 21 in the pivot element I5. Ifthe I pivot element is adapted to rotate in the brackets I3, the opening21 may simply be an aperture alined with the apertures 25 and 26 or maybe elongated slightly in an axial direction. However, if the pivotelement is held stationary and the bushings l9 are adapted to rotateabout the pivot element, the opening 2'! must be of adequate lengthcircumferentially to permit the necessary movement of the cable 24. Thecable extending from the seat section I! is passed through the hollow ofthe pivot element l5 and is joined with the cable from section [8, thecombined cables being then passed downwardly through the hollow interiorof one of the brackets l3. From the lower end of this bracket the cablemay be passed to a box or other enclosure 28 suitably mounted in rear ofthe toilet seat, or, if desired, at some more remote point.

For the purpose of controlling the operation of the lamps 23, a mercuryswitch 29 may be provided within one or each, of the sections of theseat. As shown in Fig. 1, such a sw1tch may suitably be provided in thesection II and adapted to control the operation of the lamps in bothsections. The arrangement may be such, for example, that so long as theseat is tilted into the Fig. 2 position, or is raised into its verticalposition, the switch will be closed and the lamps placed in operation.Whenever the seat is in use, however, the mercury switch will have itsforward end tilted downwardly into a position in which the current tothe lamps will be cut oil. Such a simple control of the lamps will besatisfactory in installations in which the toilet seat is in frequentuse. However, in installations in which the toilet is used only atwidely varying and infrequent intervals, it will be desirable to includein the circuit a suitable form of time relay. This may be so connectedin the circuit, that after the circuit has'been closed'by.';.the..-v

tilting of the mercury switch into its closed posi-' tion, in the mannerindicated above, the circuit will be held closed for'only' apredetermined pe riod of. say, between thirty seconds and aminute ortwo. Germicidal lamps have been found effective for the killing of mosttypes of germs within a relatively short period of time, particularly atsuch a short distance as is involved in the present invention. In lieuof controlling the operation of the lamps by a mercury switch, it may becontrolled by a push button or by a coin-controlled device or the like.For example, a person desiring to use the toilet may simply press abutton or insert a coin in a slot and the lamps may then be lighted fora predetermined period suflicient to produce the desired germicidalaction.

Referring now j to Fig. '7, there is indicated diagrammatically anillustrative form of electrical circuit which may be employed in thepractice of the invention. Power may be derived from a power line 30which may be connected with a time relay 3| of any suitable constructionmounted, for example, in the box 28. One terminal of the output side ofthe time relay may be connected by a line 32 with one terminal of eachof a pair of'ballasts 33 which may also be suitably mounted within thebox 28. Ballasts 33 may be of conventional construction and each mayembody reactance coils 34 and 35 appropriately connected with the timerelay and with the lamp sockets 22. The coil 34, for example, may beconnected at one end with one of the four terminals'of the socket .22and at its other end with a starter 36 which is in turn connected withanother terminal of the socket 2'2. Coil 35 may have one end connectedwith the line 32 and the other end connected with a third terminal ofthe socket 22. A fourth terminal of socket 22 may then be connected withthe mercury switch 29, or other control switch, which is in turnconnected back to the time relay.

In the operation of this form of the invention, the seat l1, [8 will belifted by the spring 2l into the position indicated in Fig. 2 when theoccupant rises, This will cause a suflicient tilting of the mercuryswitch 29 to close the circuit through this switch, the lamps 23, theballasts 33, and the relay 3|. After a predetermined period the relaywill operate to open the circuit and the seat is then ready for useagain. During the operation of the lamps, the germicidal rays will bethrown against all surfaces of the seat sections and by virtue of thetransparency of these sections to the rays, the latter will reach anddestroy any germs on the outer surfaces of the seat.

Referring now to Fig. 3, a modified construction is illustrated in whichthe germicidal lamp forms an integral part of the seat itself. Thus, theseat section 31 may have its entire length constitute a germicidal lampof a type similar to the lamp 23. The cable 24a may have certain of itswires connected directly with pairs of terminals 38 and 39 passingthrough the wall of the seat section at its inner end and connected withfilaments 38a and 39a within the seat section. The hollow interior ofthe seat section will be evacuated and a small amount of mercury andargon gas, or the like, introduced, just as in the manufacture of thegermicidal lamps themselves. When this construction is employed, thematerial of which the seat section 31 is formed must be of a specialtype, which is not only transparent at its opposite ends.

to the germicidal rays but is also impervious to gases and substantiallyimpervious to water vapor. It may, for this purpose, be formed of quartzglass or of resins, of the type hereinabove specified, which have beenspecially treated or composed to render them gas-tight and substantiallyvapor-proof. The control of the operation of this form of the inventionmay be by any of the means hereinabove suggested, such as a mercuryswitch 28a connected in the circuit in the same manner as beforeexplained. It will be apparent that in this form of the invention thegermicidal action will be extremely effective since all portions of theseat surface will be subjected directly and at close range to the actionof the germicidal rays developed within the seat. As best shown in Fig.4, a small section of the seat which houses the mercury switch 28a maybe provided with a removable base 40 for access to the mercury switch.

In Fig. 5 a further modification of the invention is disclosed. Thisform of the invention is adapted for use of a different style ofgermicidal lamp 4|, which is mounted in sockets 42 and 43 These socketsmay be suitably connected with the cable 24b and the control switch 28band the construction as a whole, together with its connection into theelectrical circuit, may otherwise be substantially the same as for theFig. 1 embodiment. For ease of access to the interior of the seatsection, it is preferably formed in two parts, i. e., an upper part 44providing the top and side walls of'the hollow seat and a bottom member45, these two parts being secured together in any convenient way as by aseries of screws 46. With this type of construction the two parts of theseat section may be formed of different materials, if desired. Forexample, only the upper part 44 need be made of a material capable oftransmitting the germicidal rays. The lower part 45 may, in such a case,be provided with a reflecting inner or upper surface adapted tointensify the rays thrown against and through the upper part 44.

While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have beendescribed in considerable detail, it will be understood that theinvention is capable of a wide variety of other uses and em bodiments,all falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A toilet seat formed of material which will transmit germicidalray-s, said seat having a cavity between the upper and lower surfacesthereof, and means within said cavity for emitting said germicidal rays.

2. A toilet seat formed of a resinous material which will transmitgermicidal rays, said seat having a cavity between the upper and lowersurfaces thereofyand means within said cavity for emitting saidgermicidal rays.

3. A toilet seat formed of an acrylic resin which will transmitgermicidal rays, said seat having a cavity between the upper and lowersurfaces thereof. and means within said cavity for emitting saidgermicidal rays.

4. A toilet seat formed of material which will transmit germicidal rays,said seat having a cavity between the upper and lower surfaces thereof,and a lamp within said cavity capable of emitting said germicidal rays.

5. A toilet seat formed of material which will transmit germicidal rays,said seat having a cavity between the upper and lower surfaces thereof,

a lamp within said cavity capable of emitting said germicidal rays, ahinge member at one end of said seat, and electrical connections passingthrough said hinge member to said lamp.

6. A toilet seat formed at least in part of plastic material capable oftransmitting germicidal rays, said seat being formed as a gas-tighthollow shell, electrodes passing through a wall of said shell, and meanswithin said shell adapted to emit germicidal rays upon the passage of acurrent through said electrodes.

7. A tiltable toilet seat formed at lea-st in part of material capableof transmitting germicidal rays, said seat being formed as a gas-tighthollow shell, electrodes passing through a wall of said shell,electrically operated means within said shell adapted to emit germicidalrays upon the passage of a current through said electrodes, and amercury switch carried by and tiltable with said seat and connected withsaid electrically operated means for controlling the same said ,switchbecoming operative when the seat is not in use and inoperative when theseat is in use.

8. A tiltable toilet seat formed at least in part of material capable oftransmitting germicidal rays, said seat being formed as a gas-tighthollow shell, electrodes passing through a wall of said shell,electrically operated mean-s within said shell adapted to emitgermicidal rays upon the passage of a current through said electrodes, amercury switch carried by and tiltable with said seat and connected withsaid electrically operated means for controlling the same, and springmeans for normally holding said seat in a tilted position in which saidswitch is closed.

9. A toilet seat having its upper surface formed of a plastic materialcapable of transmitting germicidal rays, said seat having a cavitybetween the upper and lower surfaces thereof,

and electrically operated means within said cavity adapted to cause theemission of germicidal rays upon the passage of a current therethrough.

10. A toilet seat having a plurality of curved sections, means includinga hollow hinge member for uniting said sections, each of said sectionshaving a cavity between its upper and lower surfaces, the upper portionsof said sectionsbeing formed of a material capable of transmittinggermicidal rays, electrically operated means within said cavitiesadapted to cause the emission. of germicidal rays, and electricalconnections passing in part through said hinge member for deliveringcurrent to said electrically operated means.

11. A toilet seat formed of material adapted to transmit ultravioletlight rays, said toilet seat having a passage formed therein, and asource of ultra-violet rays disposed within said passage.

HAROLD H. NILES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,412,436 Wilkin Apr. 11, 19222,034,388 Cemach Mar. 17, 1936 2,122,687 Herrmann July 5, 1938 2,202,095Delhaye et a1. May 28, 1940 2,215,635 Collins Sept. 24, 1940 2,253,736Sullivan Aug. 26, 1941 2,258,765 James Oct. 14, 1941 2,261,215 Bird Nov.4. 1941

